Ict, e-business and Small and Medium Enterprises

Training 

Competence factors including internal ICT knowledge and e-business management capabilities 

are crucial for successful adoption, and training programmes for SMEs are among major policy targets. In 

many cases, ICT skills have been addressed in a broader context of education and training, and initiatives 

for reducing the digital divide (OECD, 2002b, see Table 3).  

Most governments provide ICT training or training support. Some governments provide training 

free of charge, most of which focuses on basic ICT use. Financial support to cover part of training 

expenses has also been common. Training is increasingly provided over the Internet and, in some cases, in 

conjunction with ICT and e-commerce awareness and business consultation services. This reflects the 

recognition of the importance for small business managers and employees of ICT applications and required 

skills. The UK Online for Business initiative is an example of such a programme, combining on-line 

information and consultation services with off-line business support services. The Learndirect programme 

offers both on-line access to ICT training and off-line consultation with trained staff at local Learndirect 

centres. 

Government training programmes, however, might fail to effectively respond where SMEs’ 

demands for ICT skills are dramatically changing and more specialised. Commercial training services may 

be more sensitive to businesses’ changing and specific needs and government training programmes need to 

cooperate fully with commercially available services. Governments may also need to encourage a 

favourable business environment for provision of private ICT training services at a reasonable cost.  

Business management capabilities are becoming a new category of generic competency in the 

context of overall management of business processes, rather than ICT technologies alone. Training 

programmes therefore need to be more focused on managerial understanding and skills for e-business, such 

as how to effectively integrate e-business processes into existing business models and strategies to change 

organisational structures.  

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